Looking to buy a home? Two of the first areas you should inspect are your plumbing and HVAC systems. These systems are vital to the comfort and enjoyment of any home — ensuring they’re working well is a top priority for any homebuyer. Performing your checks and getting a professional inspection can save you lots of time and money on repairs. Here are some HVAC and plumbing issues to look out for when buying a home.
Plumbing Issues to Look For
The quickest way to spot plumbing problems is to check your pipes before you move in. It’s easy to forget to do this inspection amid all the work of moving boxes and organizing furniture in your house. Your plumbing runs throughout your home and is essential for comfortable living — if something is in bad shape, your appliances might not get the water they need.
Be sure to be on the lookout for any signs of trouble. When moving in, you should:
- Check pipes for corrosion and leaks.
- Look in basements and crawl spaces for water damage or mold.
- Inspect areas under and around pipes for puddles of water or rust spots.
By design, plumbing pipes are typically out of sight, but that doesn’t mean they should be out of mind. Don’t be afraid to get inside cabinets and crawl into nooks and crannies to thoroughly check all the pipes. While active leaks and large puddles are obvious red flags, other signs might be harder to see. Damp areas on wood, mold and a musty smell can indicate you’ve got a leak somewhere. Look at ceilings, walls and floors around pipes for water stains or cracked paint — these may be warning you of a leaky pipe.
Additionally, you should test the fixtures and appliances in the house, so you don’t end up dealing with unwelcome plumbing surprises. Run each of these appliances once and watch for leaks or poor water flow:
- Toilets
- Sinks
- Showers
- Dishwasher
- Refrigerators
- Washing machine
Along with testing water flow and looking for leaks, monitor these devices’ heat and water pressure. If your shower takes too long to get warm, you might have a water heater issue. Inspect the water heater for leaks and ensure it’s not overdue for an upgrade. The water heater label should have the adequate output for your household’s size.
Also, check toilets to ensure they have adequate water pressure. You want all essential appliances in working order before you move in. Any leaks, pressure problems and poor heating can make your home a much less welcoming space than you expected.
HVAC Problems to Check For
Don’t forget to inspect your HVAC system in addition to your plumbing. You depend on HVAC for year-round comfort — you should check before moving in to ensure it’s working correctly. Test the heating and cooling and change your filters if they’re clogged or dirty. If you notice any potential problems with your HVAC components, contact a professional — they’ll inspect your unit and identify anything you need to fix.
Homeowners can also test their thermostats. Broken thermostats can affect system efficiency and make using your HVAC system inconvenient. Consider investing in a smart thermostat if yours is older or doesn’t work. They’re more efficient than older models and will help save you money on your utility bills.
A quality HVAC inspection also includes evaluating the ductwork, condenser unit, furnace and operational life. These might be challenging for you to check yourself — call a technician to perform your HVAC inspection when you move into a home. They’ll know what to look for and how to safely test all the components to give you peace of mind.
The technician will look at the ductwork for cracks or clogs, which can reduce your system’s efficiency. They’ll also check the condenser unit for debris, bent fan blades and more. The condenser unit helps remove heat from the air — without this, your home can’t cool itself properly during the summer.
If your unit’s operational life is shorter than expected, it might be time to upgrade your heating equipment before moving in. While homebuyers might hesitate to spend more money after making such a significant purchase, updating your system is an excellent long-term investment. You’ll save on repairs with a newer system, and it will work more efficiently.
What to Do if You’ve Found One of These Issues
A professional inspection will help ensure you can fully enjoy your home. If it’s a newer house, make sure experts installed the plumbing and HVAC — if your home is older, expect to find some areas that need upgrading. Minor plumbing and HVAC problems are typical because these systems are such workhorses, and are therefore more likely to break down.
Call a professional if you find leaks, puddles, corrosion or other problems when checking your home. Stop using the damaged system to prevent it from getting worse. Continuing to put pressure and strain on your HVAC or plumbing can cost you more money in the long run. The longer you ignore the need for repairs, the more the problems can multiply and spread.
A technician will inspect your home and quickly diagnose the issue. They’ll uncover the source of the problem and provide you with your next steps. Professionals will evaluate and repair your system, giving you use of your home’s plumbing and HVAC once again.
Contact Your Locally Owned Expert Technicians
Plumbing and HVAC issues are common — don’t let them prevent you from enjoying your home. If you need HVAC or plumbing assistance for your house in South Central Pennsylvania, trust the experts at Leggett Inc. With over 50 years of experience, we’ve got the tools and knowledge to deliver high-quality HVAC products and services to you at an affordable rate. Along with HVAC repair and servicing, we offer preventive maintenance, plumbing and water treatment, and we’ll even monitor the life of your air filters.
If you have questions or are experiencing any problems with your plumbing and HVAC, contact us online for assistance. We’ll send one of our technicians to your home and provide you with the service you need to have a comfortable living space again.